Two days later.
The main force, which had completed the base camp as Ginovan had expected, welcomed the scouting team that had retraced their steps.
“Ginovan Edmiller. We’ve returned after completing the scouting mission as ordered.”
“Oh, Sir Ginovan! You’ve arrived safely!”
Baron Dortagon was a noble who gained enough weight to seem almost plump. He greeted Ginovan warmly.
Beside him stood two knights who, like Ginovan, had graduated from the military academy.
“This is the totem we discovered in the northeastern forest.”
“Hmm! Just as I expected!”
Ginovan handed over the oddly shaped totem.
They grimaced at the grotesque sight of a young goblin’s head cut off and dried in the sun, but only for a moment.
“But Sir Ginovan, you’ve returned earlier than expected, haven’t you?”
“That’s right. Was the mission perhaps easier than anticipated?”
Amidst this, the two knights subtly tried to downplay Ginovan’s achievements while pretending to ask him questions.
Baron Dortagon echoed their sentiments. Ginovan’s return was indeed two days earlier than expected.
“That’s true. Sir Ginovan, have your skills improved by leaps and bounds, perhaps? Hahaha!”
“The mercenary I hired turned out to be an excellent guide. And most importantly… I discovered this totem at the entrance of the northeastern area, Commander.”
“Hmm? Ah, haha! I see. Those goblins must have been quick to expand their territory.”
The forest commander, whose background was more in politics than in formal military training, didn’t seem to take the significance of the totem’s location at the entrance too seriously.
The same was true for the other two commanders.
It wasn’t that they were incompetent, but unlike Ginovan who had personally witnessed the gravity of the situation in the field, they lacked critical information.
Ginovan read the atmosphere and opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.
“Commander, may I say something?”
“Oh, Ginovan. What has made you so serious?”
At the fortress commander’s question, Ginovan cautiously began to speak.
“I suspect… that the Goblin Lord might be an Irregular.”
***
“Senior, do you think Sir Ginovan’s persuasion will work?”
In response to Aiden’s question, Jun had a somewhat uncertain expression on his face.
“They won’t ignore it completely.”
The level 1 fortress commander had just come from central politics. As a result, his detailed military knowledge was naturally poor compared to the commanders who had graduated from the military academy.
So, he wouldn’t easily dismiss the advice of those under him.
“But he probably won’t take it too seriously either. What worries me more are the other two commanders. They’re the ones actually leading the raid soldiers.”
“Ah… but don’t they also need achievements? They’re also academy graduates like Sir Ginovan.”
“Well, that’s true, but in reality, sometimes half-baked knowledge can make things worse.”
Those who blindly trust incomplete knowledge are dangerous.
Aiden nodded his head as if he realized something from Jun’s words.
“Definitely… the other seniors who died before had a similar problem, didn’t they?”
“That’s right. That’s exactly the case.”
What caused the mercenary force to be wiped out during the previous Goblin subjugation?
They relied too much on their incomplete knowledge of goblins and ended up dying from the unexpectedly powerful paralyzing poison of the goblins.
“I’m not sure about the personalities of the other two commanders, but judging by Sir Ginovan’s reaction… well…”
It’s unlikely that both commanders would completely disregard Ginovan’s opinion.
There’s always the possibility of a one-in-a-million chance.
“Just in case… let’s make our own preparations as well.”
***
Things unfolded just as Jun had expected.
They considered the possibility of an Irregular to some extent, but they didn’t take any additional measures.
They hadn’t considered adding additional supplies or reinforcements. Instead, they merely advised the soldiers to stay alert.
In fact, even that much was good.
It was better to be somewhat prepared than to be completely caught off guard.
This was probably because Sir Ginovan had failed in the previous subjugation.
Though the other two commanders had disregarded and tried to keep Ginovan in check, they had also graduated from the academy alongside him.
Naturally, they weren’t ignorant of Ginovan’s capabilities. They likely reasoned that there had to be a reason for his failure.
As a result, the other two commanders included in the raid didn’t take the situation too lightly.
The real problem lay elsewhere.
“The mercenaries seem to be unusually excited.”
“Well, from their perspective, they probably see this as a golden opportunity.”
Just participating in the Goblin Lord subjugation would significantly boost their careers, and now they had learned that the Goblin Lord could be an Irregular!
Since these mercenaries were risking their lives to increase their worth, there was more excitement than tension in the air.
“Honestly, it’s not surprising that they’re so optimistic. Even if the difficulty has increased, we have three knight commanders on our side.”
The knights had a unique position in the world of <Blackout>.
Even the knights of the military academy run directly by the imperial family were those who had reached the pinnacle of talent.
“No matter how much the Goblin Lord is an Irregular, there’s a limit to its innate potential. The chance of the knights losing is close to zero.”
“Is it because of Aura?”
“That’s right. Even if the Goblin Lord becomes an Irregular, it won’t be able to use Aura.”
Aura.
It was the ultimate aspiration of all warriors and the romance of the warrior class.
Back when he played as the warrior class in his “Lee Jeong-jun” days, he knew better than anyone the destructive power of aura.
If a warrior before learning Aura feels like a tank, then a warrior after mastering Aura becomes a true all-rounder in battle.
That’s why most of them seemed more interested in the rewards to come than worrying about and being ready for battle.
“From the mercenaries’ perspective, they’re just handling the same small fry, but now they get to say they participated in the subjugation of an Irregular that appeared for the first time in seventy-two years. Their careers will shine brighter.”
It was understandable why they were so excited.
“But it’s not as easy as they think. A field boss being an Irregular is no joke.”
“How exactly is it different?”
“When a field boss appears as an Irregular, it has a unique aura. It can strengthen nearby allies or, at times, weaken its enemies.”
If the Goblin Lord was a warrior class, it would likely strengthen the goblins within a certain range.
If it was the shaman class, on the other hand, it would emit a curse aura that weakened the physical abilities of its enemies.
“Honestly, I’m not worried about the commanders’ skills either. After all, they are elites.”
Since they were knights who could wield aura, there was no way they would fall to a mere level 1 field boss.
On top of that, there were three such knights present.
In the face of a knight’s aura, the warrior Goblin’s sword would shatter like a toothpick, and the shaman’s spells would be sliced through like paper.
But knights were still humans, and if they were struck by a hidden stone, they could die.
To precisely hunt down and kill the Goblin Lord among hundreds of goblins, the support of the troops backing them was important.
Moreover, for knights who had just graduated from the military academy, the duration they could maintain their aura is at most 30 seconds to a minute.
Therefore, clearing the path was a task that the soldiers and mercenaries had to handle.
If things started to go wrong from there, no matter how fiercely the knights fought, they would reach their limits.
“If the commanders can’t get the mercenaries under control… the battle will undoubtedly be difficult.”
“I-Is that so?”
“Well, it should be fine. It’s not just mercenaries here; we have soldiers too, don’t we?”
The battle was expected to be quite exhausting, but there was little Jun could do about the situation at this point.
It wasn’t as if he could just step in and take over command.
So what I can do now is…
Jun licked his lips as he watched Ginovan who had just come out of the command tent.
“I guess I should throw a bone to our fresh newbie.”
***
That evening.
Everyone was busy making preparations for the march the next day.
However, Ginovan arrived at the relatively calm headquarters.
“Fortress Commander, I have something to discuss.”
“Oh, Sir Ginovan. What is it?”
“If we are to engage the Goblin Lord in earnest, could you assign my unit to the rear?”
“The rear? You, Ginovan?”
Baron Dortagon tilted his head in confusion at Ginovan’s sudden request to be placed in the rear ranks.
“Is there really a need for you to be stationed at the rear?”
“Of course, I have a strong desire to draw my sword on the front lines, but I’m concerned that the goblins’ territory might be more vast than we anticipated.”
“Hmm…”
In truth, while the appearance of a Goblin Lord after seventy-two years was significant, it was still just a Goblin Lord after all.
Having three knights might have been excessive.
Moreover…
“Commander, Sir Ginovan’s suggestion is indeed correct. According to the scouts’ reports, the goblins’ territory is vast. There’s a possibility that another force might intrude from the rear during our clash with the Goblin Lord.”
“Precisely. If it’s Sir Ginovan, he could effectively secure the rear and ensure your safety, Commander. I also agree with his proposal.”
The other two commanders seized the moment to support Ginovan’s choice.
After all, the fewer people they had to share the glory with, the better.
Besides, the two commanders were confident they could take down the Goblin Lord by themselves.
Baron Dortagon smiled at their words.
“Is that so? If you all think so, then I should seriously consider it. It would indeed be troublesome if the rear were to falter. Yes, you’re right. Sir Ginovan, you are indeed thoughtful!”
“…Thank you, Fortress Commander.”
Ginovan bowed his head in gratitude for the fortress commander’s decision, and a faint fatigue appeared on his face.
Such political conversations were far from his usual disposition.
At least things are proceeding as he said they would. I just hope everything goes according to his plan.
Of course, Ginovan wasn’t without ambition for merit.
He was merely placing his trust in the advice of a certain crafty mage.
***
Nearly a hundred and fifty soldiers marched through the dark forest.
The scouts led the way and cleared the path. When they encountered an opponent that was too difficult for them alone, they naturally signaled the main force to handle it.
“The pace is faster than expected.”
“Yes, it seems Sir Ginovan’s scouts are performing exceptionally well.”
Perhaps due to the support from the scouts and the rear units, the other two commanders were now begrudgingly acknowledging Ginovan’s contributions, unlike before.
After all, once the main force dealt with the Goblin Lord, Ginovan’s achievements would naturally be overshadowed.
“Haha! Sir Ginovan’s efforts are remarkable. We’ll have to properly commend him later.”
“Ahem!”
“Sir Ginovan will surely feel honored by the commander’s recognition.”
In fact, Ginovan’s scouting team was showing a performance that could be described as a great success.
This was largely thanks to the subtle help of Jun and Aiden.
As time passed, the soldiers also began to notice the presence of the two, and whenever they were given a break, they were quick to praise them.
“I never realized having a mage with us would make things this much easier.”
“That’s right! I don’t understand why someone like him is even working as a mercenary!”
“Shh! Quiet. He must have his own reasons for doing this.”
Meanwhile, Jun, the person in question, was struggling.
“Senior, are you alright?”
“No matter how much I walk through this damned forest, I just can’t get used to it…”
Because of his poor stamina, he looked utterly exhausted. He was even resorting to drinking a stamina potion.
***
As they neared the northeastern edge of the Black Forest.
The scouting team began to realize that the atmosphere of the forest was gradually changing.
At some point, the appearance of monsters decreased, and an eerie silence started to settle over the forest.
“It seems the goblins have caught on.”
“With a force of nearly a hundred and fifty soldiers, it’s no wonder they noticed.”
When they first came to scout, they hadn’t even lit a fire and focused on erasing their tracks.
But the main force had no intention of hiding their presence.
In response, Ginovan selected a separate special unit.
“Jun. May I borrow your companion for a bit?”
“Just tell me what you need.”
“I’m thinking of sending some of my troops and your companion to the front. I suspect the goblins might attempt an ambush.”
Instead of responding, Jun looked over at Aiden.
“Aiden. Can you handle it?”
“Yes, Senior! Leave it to me.”
Given that Aiden had already been diligently fulfilling his role in the scouting team, he quickly made his decision.
Shortly after the special unit set out.
“Hmm.”
Ginovan, who had enhanced his vision with magical power, spotted a bird soaring between the trees.
A long red ribbon was tied to the bird’s leg.
This meant that there was an enemy ambush ahead.
Ginovan immediately relayed this information to headquarters, and the attack team split into two to eliminate them all at once.
As they made their way back, one of the knights leading the attack force guided the troops around to the flank, following the route the scouting team had previously marked.
Meanwhile, the scouts first confronted the goblins in ambush, and then the main force led by the commander rushed in and destroyed the goblin formation.
The human assault proved more intense than expected and some of the goblins tried to flee.
However, their attempt failed due to the timely arrival of another team flanking them.
It was a complete annihilation.
A flawless victory.
As a result, the morale of both the soldiers and mercenaries soared to new heights.
Amidst the chorus of their shouts, Baron Dortagon’s hearty laughter blended in.
“Hahaha! Your skills are truly impressive, gentlemen!”
“You flatter us, Fortress Commander.”
“Isn’t it all thanks to your excellent leadership, Fortress Commander?”
“Thank you for trusting us with the task.”
The humble praises from the commanders made Baron Dortagon’s shoulders swell with pride, just like the morale of the troops.
“It’s great to hear you say that! Especially you, Sir Ginovan. I didn’t realize your scouting abilities were this exceptional.”
“Thank you, sir.”
In truth, Ginovan was just as surprised.
He hadn’t expected the operation to go as smoothly as it did.
However, he didn’t think this success was solely due to his own abilities.
That mage’s wisdom is proving to be quite useful.
Although Ginovan was a graduate of an elite military academy, he was still a human.
This was his first year entering the Black Forest, and his knowledge of monsters was purely theoretical, without any real experience.
So naturally, he had expected some degree of difficulty. But contrary to his expectations, the operation had proceeded far more smoothly than he had anticipated.
– Commander, this area is covered in blue mold. It seems to be the territory of a Plant Undead.
– If you look at these trees, they bear the territorial markings of an Outer Wolf. Judging by the traces, it hasn’t been long since it was here.
– Over there is a Corpse Flower… It’s a plant that Corrow Bees likes.
– Hmm, do you see those traces where the plants have been torn away? It looks like goblins stripped them for poison-making.
Whenever they entered a new monster’s territory, the mage beside him would offer advice as if he had a sixth sense.
Of course, most of what was pointed out were things Ginovan already knew from his own knowledge.
But he couldn’t catch onto them as quickly as the lower-ranking mage he had hired.
To me, it’s just another ordinary forest, but it seems that mage sees it differently.
Normally, this wouldn’t have mattered, but with the emergence of a field boss that caused a major shift in the monsters’ habitats, Jun’s advice was invaluable. Thanks to the tips he casually gave, the soldiers were able to prepare in advance, and the number of casualties was significantly reduced.
Ginovan suddenly understood why Chloe, the precious daughter of the Gillen Merchant Guild, valued this lower-ranking mage so highly.
If only I had an adjutant like that …
A greedy thought crept up on him.
It was the kind of desire for talent that was inevitable for a commander.
But that greed was quickly set aside.
He’s a mage sponsored by none other than the Gillen Merchant Guild.
No matter how much of an elite he was, he was someone who just graduated from the Imperial Academy, so he still had nothing to offer at the moment.
It was likely that even without his support, that mage would eventually spread his wings.
But it wouldn’t hurt to establish a connection with him.
Not only the mage, but also the Gillen Merchant Guild that was sponsoring him, was worth keeping an eye on.
The Gillen Merchant Guild which was originally rooted in the land had recently been slowly shifting its gaze toward Blackout.
In any case, the march of the subjugation force continued.
As they gradually approached the northeastern entrance, battles with goblins became more frequent, and they had fully entered goblin territory before long.
And then.
Kyagya! Kyagya! Kyagya!
Kyarr! Kyarr! Kyartutuga!
Kihorrrrr!
Soon after reaching the goblin village, they were confronted by a horde of goblins.
The problem was that there were twice as many as they had expected.
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